Guardiola: "I will return to work next year"

Pep Guardiola said earlier at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala that he would make a return to football management at the end of his sabbatical year. As a mark of respect to his colleagues in the profession, the former Barcelona coach denied that any agreements had been reached or considered.

"I'm young but have spent my whole life working in football and needed a break. I explained my reasons at the time. I have no team in mind and don't know where, but I will return next year", he said.

The Catalan, who won 14 from a possible 19 titles at Barcelona, denied having received any offers or negotiating with Bayern Munich or Brazil. When asked about the role as Brazil national team coach, the Spaniard said it was an honour to be considered but believes every country should have a native manager.

"Bayern has (Jupp) Heynckes and it would be disrespectful to speak now about a team who has a coach. I want to return to management next year and that's what I'll do, but nothing has been decided", he added.

Guardiola has been living in New York with his family but has continued to watch football matches and enjoy Barcelona's rich vein of form under Tito Vilanova – Guardiola's former number two and close friend: "You see football differently from when you're involved working in it – enjoying it on the TV, like any other fan of the great players in the game."

"Watching Barcelona play is still a great spectacle. I was lucky to spend a few years at a wonderful club and the greatest thing would be for the team to continue in the same way or better than when I was there. It's something that began a long time ago, not with us", he concluded.